Vehicle safety catch fence

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a vehicle safety catch fence system, the system comprising: two or more posts; two or more longitudinal cables operatively coupled between the two or more posts; a transverse cable, wherein the transverse cable is operatively coupled to the two or more longitudinal cables; and two or more cable clamps, wherein the two or more cable clamps operatively couple the transverse cable to the two or more longitudinal cables.

CROSS REFERENCES TO OTHER RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/251,172, filed on Apr. 11, 2014, and entitled“Vehicle Safety Catch Fence,” which claims the priority benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/813,521, filed on Apr. 18, 2013,and entitled “Vehicle Safety Catch Fence” and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/865,032, filed on Aug. 12, 2013, and entitled“Vehicle Safety Catch Fence,” the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

In general, embodiments herein disclosed relate to systems and methodsfor safely dissipating loads when a vehicle is involved in a collisionwith a fence or guardrail. More specifically, the systems and methodsreduce the chance of injury to drivers and spectators, and reduce thedamage to the vehicles and other property by utilizing the improvedfence system. The embodiments of the present invention are particularlyapplicable for use on race tracks.

BACKGROUND

When a car collides with a wall or fence (e.g., when a racecar collideswith a wall or fence on a track), there is a need to redistribute theimpact forces in an efficient and safe manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention comprise a vehicle safety catch fencesystem. The purpose of the safety catch fence system is to provide asafety barrier between the road way and the surrounding area (e.g.,create a barrier between a race track and as a grandstand ofspectators). In the event of a racecar's collision with a catch fence,the catch fence may stop the car and associated debris from entering thesurrounding area and potentially harming spectators, equipment, or thelike.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a vehicle safetycatch fence system, the system comprising: two or more posts; two ormore longitudinal cables operatively coupled between the two or moreposts; a transverse cable, wherein the transverse cable is operativelycoupled to the two or more longitudinal cables; and two or more cableclamps, wherein the two or more cable clamps operatively couple thetransverse cable to the two or more longitudinal cables.

In some embodiments, each of the two or more cable clamps comprise: afirst plate; a second plate operatively coupled to the first plate; andwherein each of the two or more cable clamps operatively coupled thetransverse cable to the two or more longitudinal cables.

In some embodiments, the first plate or the second plate comprises: aridge located on an inner surface of the first plate or the second platethat conforms to a cable surface of the transverse cable or the two ormore longitudinal cables.

In some embodiments, the first plate and the second are operativelycoupled through one or more bolts.

In some embodiments, the transverse cable is operatively coupled to thetwo or more longitudinal cables in a substantially parallel orientation.

In some embodiments, the transverse cable is operatively coupled to thetwo or more longitudinal cables in an angled orientation, wherein afirst section of the transverse cable is operatively coupled to a firstlongitudinal cable at a first location closer to a first post than asecond post, and a second section of the transverse cable is operativelycoupled to a second longitudinal cable above the first longitudinalcable at a second location closer to the second post than the firstpost.

In some embodiments, the transverse cable comprises a first end that isoperatively coupled to a ground or a wall located below the two or morelongitudinal cables.

In some embodiments, the transverse cable is operatively coupled to thewall through an aperture in the wall and epoxy.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises: a plurality of offsetbrackets operatively coupled to the two or more posts; a plurality ofcable support seats each operatively coupled to each of the plurality ofoffset brackets; wherein each of the plurality of offset brackets andthe plurality of cable support seats support each of the two or morelongitudinal cables between the two or more posts at an offset distancelocated away from a surface of the two or more posts.

In some embodiments, the plurality of offset brackets each comprise: afirst bracket operatively coupled to each of the two or more posts; asecond bracket operatively coupled to the first bracket; wherein thesecond bracket is offset from the two or more posts; and wherein thesecond bracket may be removed from the first bracket for replacement.

In some embodiments, the plurality of offset brackets each comprise; anaperture therethrough; wherein the plurality of cable support seats areeach operatively coupled to an inner surface of each of the plurality ofoffset brackets; wherein each of the two or more longitudinal cables arelocated within the aperture of each of the plurality of offset bracketsand secured within each of the plurality of cable support seats, suchthat each of the two or more longitudinal cables are located between anouter surface of each of the plurality of offset brackets and the two ormore posts.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises: a wire mesh screen;wherein the two or more posts comprises a first side and a second side;and wherein the two or more longitudinal cables are located on the firstside and the wire mesh screen is located on the second side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 illustrates a wall along a race track, in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a wall with a catch fence having a verticaltransverse cable, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a wall with a catch fence having an angledtransverse cable, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates a catch fence having an angled cable clamp, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cable clamp, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a cable clamp, in accordance withone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates one embodiment of the inside surface of a cableclamp with ridges and formed to secure cables, in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B illustrates one embodiment of the side of a cable clamp withridges and formed to secure cables, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of a cable clamp, in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of an angled cable clamp, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A illustrates one embodiment of the inside surface of a cableclamp with ridges, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B illustrates one embodiment of the side of a cable clamp withridges, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8A illustrates one embodiment of the inside surface of a cableclamp with a channel and ridges, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 8B illustrates one embodiment of the side of a cable clamp with achannel and ridges, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9A illustrates one embodiment of a face surface of a spacer, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9B illustrates one embodiment of the side of a spacer, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an offset bracket with twosections, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an offset bracket with twosections, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12A illustrates a cross-sectional top view of an offset bracket, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12B illustrates a cross-sectional top view of an offset bracket, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13A illustrates a cross-sectional top view of a C-shaped bracket,in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13B illustrates a cross-sectional top view of a C-shaped bracket,in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14A illustrates a cross-sectional top view of a spring-typebracket, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14B illustrates a cross-sectional top view of a spring-typebracket, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 15A illustrates a process flow describing how the components of thesafety catch fence may be installed, in accordance with one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 15B illustrates a process flow describing how the components of thesafety catch fence dissipate loads upon impact of a vehicle, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention now may be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, theinvention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure may satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As used herein, the term “vehicle” may refer to any type of vehicle,including but not limited to a car, truck, racecar, dragster, dunebuggy, four-wheeler, cart, boat, motorcycle, recreational vehicle,aircraft, snow mobile or other like vehicle that may be traveling on arace track or other type of road, including but not limited to ahighway, an expressway, a through road, or another like road. Theseterms may be substituted for each other and used interchangeablythroughout.

In some embodiments, a wall 1 may exist on the outer edge of a racetrack (e.g., a banked racing surface, a road course, or the like), asdisplayed in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 10, and 11. The wall 1 may serve as abarrier between the race track and a surrounding area, which may includebut is not limited to a grandstand of spectators, a walkway, a parkinglot, a natural area, or the like. The purpose of the wall 1 is to retaina vehicle inside the designated racing area while protecting thesurrounding area from debris during a collision with the wall 1.

In some high-speed racing applications, the vehicle may collide with thewall 1. To ensure the safety of the operator of the vehicle, the racetrack may be separated from the area surrounding the outer edge of thetrack, or any spectators or bystanders beyond the outside edge of therace track by a wall 1 that is made from a durable material, such asconcrete, cement, steel, or the like. Typically, the wall 1 is solid andimmovable.

As displayed in FIG. 1, the wall 1 may include a second wall 2 that iscoupled to the inner surface of the wall 1 (e.g., the surface closest tothe race track) via a coupling 3. The coupling 3 may be collapsible asto prevent the racecar from colliding with the wall 1 or reduce theforce of the collision between the racecar and wall 1 before impact withthe wall 1. Typically, a spectator's field of vision of the race trackis a high priority. So, the wall 1 may be constructed to reach apredetermined height as to not obstruct the spectators' fields ofvision. However, additional protection is often needed to protect thespectators from debris or in the event that a vehicle becomes airborneor otherwise extends over the top of the wall 1.

A catch fence 4 may be constructed on top of or adjacent to the wall 1to provide additional security, as is displayed in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Thecatch fence 4 may include a series of vertical poles, protectivecabling, and wire mesh that increases the safety the race withoutobstructing the spectator's view. The purpose of the catch fence 4 maybe to provide a sliding surface for the colliding vehicle, and tominimize the amount of shearing or damage done to the vehicle uponimpact with the wall 1 or catch fence 4. A sliding surface for thecolliding vehicle allows the force of the vehicle to be dissipatedgradually as opposed to a hard surface that would cause more damage uponimpact. Furthermore, the more static surfaces along the sliding surfacethe more damage may be done to the vehicle or catch fence 4, which couldlead to more debris during the collision. The catch fence 4 helps toredistribute and/or transfer the potentially destructive forces of thevehicle in a more efficient and safe manner.

The catch fence 4 may have two or more poles 5 made of steel, composite,or other like material that create a frame for the safety catch fence 4,and are depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and FIGS. 10 through 14B. In someembodiments, the pole 5 may be coupled to the wall 1 via a recessedaperture in the wall 1 into which the pole 5 is set. The pole 5 may beaffixed to the wall 1 using cement, concrete, epoxy, or other likematerial. In other embodiments, the pole 5 may be freestanding and haveno coupling with the wall 1, but rather a coupling with the ground. Instill other embodiments of the invention, the pole 5 may be coupled tothe side of the wall 1 opposite the race track, using a mechanicalfastener, such as a u-clamp or other like fastener. The freestandingpole 5 may be positioned outside of the wall 1 so that the wall 1 isbetween the race track and the pole 5. In other embodiments one or moreof these may be used to secure the pole 5 at or near the wall 1. Thesize of the poles 5 may define a width, a height, or a thickness of thecatch fence 4. Typically, the poles 5 are spaced between ten and twentyfeet apart from each other.

In some embodiments, the pole 5 may be positioned in a generally uprightposition that is perpendicular with the ground, or at an angle withrespect to the ground. Therefore, in some embodiments the pole 5 mayhang over at least a portion of the wall 1 or the race track. In otherembodiments, the pole 5 may comprise a generally upright section 7 andan overhang section 8, which allows the catch fence 4 to overhang therace track, as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The overhang section 8 maybe angled at a predetermined height and angle so as to comply withdesired requirements.

Two or more longitudinal cables 9 may run along the length of the racetrack as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 10, and 11. In some embodiments, eachsingle longitudinal cable 9 may run horizontally so that thelongitudinal cable 9 is generally parallel to the race track surface andto the other longitudinal cables 9. The purpose of longitudinal cables 9are to provide a smooth sliding surface in the direction of thevehicle's motion for when the vehicle collides with the wall 1 and catchfence 4. This may ultimately minimize damage to the vehicle upon impact.

In some embodiments, a number of longitudinal cables 9 may be used in aspaced apart, parallel configuration to create a set of longitudinalcables. The set of longitudinal cables may be positioned above oneanother in order to create a set of longitudinal cables 9 that extend atleast partially upwards on the upright section 7. In other embodiments,the set of longitudinal cables 9 may fully extend upwards on the uprightsection 7. In alternative embodiments, the set of longitudinal cables 9may fully extend upwards on the upright section 7 and extend partiallyor fully on the overhang section 8.

A transverse cable 10 may be operatively coupled to the two or morelongitudinal cables 9 as displayed in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 3, 4, 6A and 6B.The addition of a transverse cable 10 may help to maintain the two ormore longitudinal cables 9 in their respective positions upon impact.Furthermore, the transverse cable 10 may help diffuse impact forces fromthe vehicle and transfer the impact forces throughout the catch fence 4system in a safer and more efficient manner. As described in furtherdetail later, upon impact from the vehicle both the longitudinal cables9 and the transverse cable 10 are placed in tension, and thus absorb theload from the impacting vehicle. Furthermore, the transverse cable 10may also distribute the load of the racecar to other longitudinal cables9 that are not specifically impacted by the vehicle because the two ormore of the longitudinal cables 9 are operatively coupled to each otherthrough the transverse cable 10. Thus, the damage sustained during acollision between the vehicle and the wall 1 and catch fence 4 may beminimized. In the illustrated embodiments the longitudinal cables 9 andtraverse cable 10 are positioned between the poles 5 and the race track.This configuration is depicted in FIGS. 3, 10 and 11.

In some embodiments, the transverse cable 10 may be coupled to the twoor more longitudinal cables 9 in a generally upwards position (e.g.,vertically or generally vertically), as shown in FIGS. 2A, 3, 4, and 6A.In other embodiments, the transverse cable 10 may be coupled to the twoor more longitudinal cables 9 at a predetermined angle as depicted inFIGS. 2B, 2C, and 6B. For example, slanting the transverse cable 10 atan angle between fifteen and twenty degrees (or other angles outside ofthis range) along the direction of the vehicle's motion (e.g.,downstream to upstream) may provide a more optimized redistribution ofimpact forces during a collision. In some embodiments of the inventionthe transverse cable 10 may be positioned at an angle of 5, 10, 15, 20,25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85 degrees, or the like,or any range in-between one or more of these angles, from a verticalposition (e.g., perpendicular) of a transverse cable 10 with respect tothe longitudinal cables 9, wall 1, surface of the track, or other likesurface. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the transverse cable 10 may bepositioned on a side of a mesh lattice 25 opposite the race track sothat the mesh lattice 25 is positioned between the network of thetransverse cables 10 and the longitudinal cables 9 and the race track.However, in other embodiments, the transverse cable 10 may be positionedon a side of the mesh lattice 25 facing the rack track so that thenetwork of the transverse cables 10 and the longitudinal cables 9 ispositioned between the mesh lattice 25 and the race track as depicted inFIGS. 2A, 3, 10, and 11. When the transverse cable 10 is operativelycoupled to the longitudinal cables 9 it may be beneficial to ensure thatthe cable is substantially straight by providing the same angle in thecable clamp 11 (e.g., angled channel 17) as the angle at which thetransverse cable 10 will be coupled to the one or more longitudinalcables 11. Therefore, as illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 6B the cable clamp11 may have an angled channel to operatively couple the transverse cable10 with respect to the longitudinal cables 9, as described in furtherdetail later. FIG. 2C further illustrates that the transverse cable 10may be positioned at a downward angle in relation to the direction ofthe oncoming vehicle (e.g., the transverse cable 10 slopes downwardlyfrom a coupling with a top longitudinal cable 9 to a bottom longitudinalcable 9 in relation to the direction of the oncoming vehicle). In otherembodiments, the transverse cable 10 may be positioned at an upwardangle in relation to the direction of the oncoming vehicle (e.g., thetransverse cable 10 slopes upwardly from a coupling with a bottomlongitudinal cable 9 to a top longitudinal cable 9 in relation to thedirection of the oncoming vehicle) as shown in FIG. 2B.

The transverse cable 10 may also be coupled to the wall 1 via a coupling6 to provide additional support and load distribution upon the impact ofthe vehicle. A hole may be drilled into the wall 1 large enough intowhich the transverse cable 10 may be embedded with an epoxy (as shown inFIG. 3), cement, concrete, or other like attachment material. In otherembodiments, the transverse cable 10 may be mechanically attached to thewall 1. In other embodiments of the invention instead of being attachedto the wall 1, the transverse cable 10 may be operatively coupled to theoutside surface of the wall 1, the ground, the pole 5, or other locationon the catch fence 4, area around the catch fence 4, or structure nearthe catch fence 4. In the illustrated embodiment the longitudinal cables9 are positioned on the side of the poles 5 facing the race track andthe transverse cable 10 is positioned on the side of the longitudinalcables 9 opposite the race track, as depicted in FIG. 3. In thisconfiguration, the longitudinal cable 9 provides a sliding surface alongwhich the colliding racecar may slide upon impact without contactingstatic support locations (e.g., transverse cable 10, poles 5, etc.). Thetransverse cable 10 is located behind the longitudinal cables 9 in orderto provide support in redistributing the impact forces during thecollision without providing a break in the sliding surfaces of thelongitudinal cables 9. In other embodiments of the invention, thetransverse cable 10 may be positioned on the side of the longitudinalcables 9 facing the race track. In alternative embodiments of theinvention, the transverse cable 10 may be woven through the longitudinalcables 9, such that the transverse cable 10 may be located on the sideof one or more longitudinal cables 10 facing the race track and the sideof one or more other longitudinal cables 10 opposite the race track.

In one embodiment, the longitudinal cable 9 and the transverse cable 10are constructed from ⅝-inch steel cable. Alternatively, in otherembodiments of the invention the cables may be different sizes and madefrom different materials not explicitly described herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 8B, the transverse cable 10 may beoperatively coupled to the longitudinal cable 9 via a cable clamp 11.The cable clamp 11 may define a first plate 12 and a second plate 13.The first plate 12 may rest on the longitudinal cable 9 on the sidefacing the race track while the second plate 13 may rest on thetransverse cable 10 on the side opposite the race track, as depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4. In other embodiments, this configuration may be reverseddepending on the desired configuration of the longitudinal cables 9 andthe traverse cable 10. In some embodiments the first plate 12 and secondplate 13 may be contoured to fit around the longitudinal cable 9 and thetransverse cable 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B. In otherembodiments, the first plate 12 and second plate 13 may be spaced apartfrom each other, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. FIGS. 3 and 4 alsoillustrate that the first plate 12 and the second plate 13 may becoupled together via non-permanent couplings 14 such as screws, bolts,pins, or the like. Typically, the couplings are shear-strength boltsforged from 50 ksi (50,000 pounds per square inch) or higher “Grade-A”steel. In some embodiments, the couplings 14 may be recessed into acavity or countersink 15 in either the first plate 12 or the secondplate 13 so as to create a smooth outer sliding surface for thepotentially colliding racecar, as illustrated in FIG. 7B. The cableclamp 11 (e.g., first plate 12 and second plate 13) may include roundededges to minimize the number of sharp surfaces, as seen in FIG. 5, whichmay potentially inflict damage on the colliding vehicle. The first plate12 or the second plate 13 may be formed from flat plates, bent, stamped,or the like.

In some embodiments (and as seen in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B),the first plate 12 and the second plate 13 may include ridges 16 (e.g.,stamped, welded, casted, machined, or the like) on their inside surfaces(e.g., the surfaces that are in contact with at least one of thelongitudinal cable 9 or the transverse cable 10) to “bite,” or clampdown on the longitudinal cable 9 or the transverse cable 10. The ridges16 may be formed such that they align with grooves or spaces in thecables 9, 10. The ridges 16 may be positioned in either one directionalong the first plate 12 or the second plate 13 (as shown in FIG. 5A and5B) or a combination of directions along the first plate 12 and thesecond plate 13, as shown in FIGS. 7A through 8B. The ridges 16 may beangled so as to complement the angled twist of the space betweenindividual strands of the cable so as to fit between adjacent strands.

In some embodiments, the first plate 12 and the second plate 13 mayinclude a channel 17 on their inside surfaces to create cavities intowhich the longitudinal cable 9 or the transverse cable 10 may securelyrest, as depicted in FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 8A, and 8B. The channel 17 may beformed by molding, bending, stamping, machining (e.g., cutting), or thelike the first plate 12 or second plate 13. In some embodiments of theinvention the ridges 16 may only be formed in either the first plate 12or the second plate 13. The ridges 16 may be formed in differentlocations and orientations on the first plate 12 or second plate 13. Instill other embodiments of the invention the cable clamp 11 may onlyhave a first plate 12 and is secured to the longitudinal cables 9 ortransverse cables 10 using u-clamps or other like attachment mechanism.

Furthermore, as illustrated by FIG. 6B, in some embodiments a channel17, ridges 16, or other feature that helps to secures the transversecable 10 to the longitudinal cable 9 may be positioned at an angle inorder operatively couple the transverse cable 10 to the longitudinalcable 9 at the desired angle. For example, if the transverse cable 10 ispositioned at 15 to 20 degrees from the longitudinal cables 9, theground, the surface of the race track, or other like surface, thechannel 17 or other securing feature of the cable clamp 11 may also bepositioned at approximately 15 to 20 degrees within the cable clamp 11.As illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 6B, the cable clamp 11 may be in thegeneral shape of a square with two bolts (e.g., instead of four), thatreduces the number edges that could cut, tear, puncture, or otherwisedamage a car upon impact. In other embodiments of the invention, thegenerally square shaped cable clamp 11 may be another type of shapedescribed herein, and further may be in the general shape parallelogram,oval, trapezoid or other like shape. The other cable clamps 11 describedherein may also have one of these types of shapes.

In alternative embodiments, a spacer 18 (metallic, plastic, orotherwise) may be positioned between the longitudinal cable 9 and thetransverse cable 10 to improve the operative coupling between thelongitudinal cable 9 and the transverse cable 10. Therefore, in someembodiments the cable clamp 11 may have three plates, that is a firstplate 12, a second plate 13, and a spacer 18. One embodiment of theinvention of the spacer 18 is depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B. In otherembodiments of the invention, the spacer 18 may have ridges 16 and/or achannel 17 in one direction, or in two directions (as illustrated inFIGS. 9A and 9B), on both sides of the spacer 18.

The catch fence 4 may also comprise offset brackets 19 that areoperatively coupled to the poles 5. The offset brackets 19 may beoperatively coupled to the poles 5 via welding, bolting, or other likeattachment and are used to hold the longitudinal cables 9 in place. Themultiple offset brackets 19 may be spaced along the upright section 7 orthe overhang section 8 of the pole 5 to a desired spacing between thetwo or more longitudinal cables 9, as seen in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 10, and 11.In some embodiments, the thickness of the offset bracket 19 may matchthe wall thickness of the pole 5 to maximize the strength of the system.In other embodiments, the thickness of the offset bracket 19 may be lessthan that of the poles 5, such that upon impact by a vehicle the offsetbracket 19 may fail before the poles 5 fail. In some embodiments, theoffset bracket 19 may be manufactured from 8/36-inch steel.

In some embodiments, the offset bracket 19 may include two sections, forexample, a base section 20, and an offset section 21. An embodiment ofthis configuration is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. The base section20 may be permanently coupled to the side facing the race track of thepole 5 via a weld or similar coupling. Thus, the offset bracket 19 maybe positioned between the network of longitudinal cables 9 andtransverse cables 10 and the pole 5. The offset section 21 may bepermanently coupled (e.g., through a weld, or the like) or detachablycoupled (e.g., through bolts, or the like) to the base section 20.Further, the offset section 21 may position the network of longitudinalcables 9 and traverse cables 9 a predetermined distance away from thepoles 5. The offset section 21 typically produces an offset of three tosix inches. In some embodiments of the invention this distance allowsthe cables 9, 10 to deflect upon impact and reduce impact on the poles5. This offset may also allow for the offset bracket 19 to rotationallyflex or be displaced with respect to the pole 5 upon impact. Forexample, when the vehicle collides with the catch fence 4 and impactsthe cables 9, 10 and/or offset bracket 19, the offset section 21 mayflex with the force of the vehicle and may redirect the potentiallydestructive rotational forces from the pole 5 to the longitudinal cable9 (and thus the transverse cable 10 and the wall 1). If the offsetsection 21 detaches from the pole 5, a new offset section 21 may beattached to the base section 20. Hence, the two-section configuration ofthe offset bracket 19 may provide a quick fix to ensure the safecontinuation of the race and operation of the catch fence 4 for theremainder of the race. In other embodiments of the invention the desiredoffset of the cables 9, 10 from the poles 5 may be outside of the rangeof three to six inches. In particular, any offset could be selected thatwould provide desired separation between the cables and poles to reducepotential for impact of the vehicle with the poles.

The longitudinal cable 9 may be coupled to the offset section 21 of theoffset bracket 19 using a coupling 22, such as a hook, a stud, a pin,shear-strength bolts, or the like, as shown in FIGS. 10 through 14B. Insome embodiments, the longitudinal cable 9 may be coupled to the side ofthe offset section 21 facing the race track as depicted in FIGS. 10, 11,12A, 13A, and 14A. In this embodiment the coupling 22 may provide asurface that could damage the vehicle and create additional debris onimpact of the vehicle with the catch fence 4. In other embodiments, thelongitudinal cable 9 may be coupled to the side of the offset section 21opposite the race track as depicted in FIGS. 12B, 13B, and 14B, suchthat the longitudinal cable 9 is located between a portion of thebracket 16 and the pole 5. This configuration may include a hole in theoffset bracket 19 through which the longitudinal cable 9 may run. Thisconfiguration may provide the sliding surface with fewer surfaces thatcould damage the vehicle and create more debris. A smooth side of theoffset bracket 19 facing the race track may prevent additional damage tothe vehicle upon impact and during the subsequent sliding of the vehiclealong the catch fence 4. Both configurations of the coupling 22 on theside facing the race track and the coupling 22 on the side opposite therace track may utilize recessed couplings to operatively couple thelongitudinal cables 9 to the offset bracket 19 to reduce the number ofadditional surfaces that could damage the vehicle on impact.

In other embodiments, the offset bracket 19 may comprise a singlesection while maintaining the same functionality as the two-sectionbracket 19 discussed above. FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate single-sectionoffset bracket 19 designs.

Other types of single-section bracket designs may be implemented. Forexample, a unitary C-shape bracket 23 may be formed as depicted in FIGS.13A and 13B. The C-shape bracket 23 may be positioned so the “C” flexesin on itself in the direction of the motion of the racecar upon impact.The C-shape bracket 23 may also include a hole as to allow thelongitudinal cable 9 to pass through, as depicted in FIG. 13B. TheC-shaped bracket 23 is typically installed on the pole 5, such that theopen portion of the C is opposite from the direction of travel of thevehicle to so that the opening does not “catch” or “snag” the vehicle asit impacts the catch fence.

Another example of a single-section bracket design, shown in FIGS. 14Aand 14B, may be a spring-type bracket 24 wherein the spring-type bracket24 is spring loaded (e.g., a leaf spring) and is curved along thedirection of the motion of the racecar. The spring-type bracket 24 mayalso include a hole as to allow the longitudinal cable 9 to passthrough, as depicted in FIG. 14B. All of the different embodiment ofbrackets 19 may include rounded edges to minimize the potential shearingof a colliding racecar. In other embodiments the single-section bracketsillustrated in FIGS. 12A-14B may be made up of one or more sections thatallow the sections of the brackets to be replaced if they are damagedduring a collision.

The catch fence 4 may also include a mesh lattice 25 as an outermostlayer of defense. The mesh lattice 25 may comprise a wire mesh that isconstructed from welded wire, and the wire mesh lattice 25 may resemblea grid of metal wires as displayed in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 3, 10, and 11.The mesh lattice 25 may include a set of wires that run longitudinallyand a set of wires that run transversely thereto as seen in FIGS. 2A,2B, 2C, 3, 10, and 11. The wire may or may not be woven. In otherembodiments, the wire mesh may be a chain-link fence or other likefence. In some embodiments, the mesh lattice 25 may be permanentlycoupled to the pole 5 via a weld, epoxy, cement, concrete, or the like,or detectably coupled using fasteners, hooks, clips, pins, or other likecouplings. In other embodiments, the mesh lattice 25 may be permanentlyor detachably coupled to the wall 1 in a similar manner as describedwith respect to the pole 5. In other embodiments, the mesh lattice 25may be permanently or detachably affixed in the ground beyond the outersurface of the wall 1 (e.g., the surface furthest from the race trackand closest to the surrounding area, grandstand, or the like) in asimilar manner as described with respect to the pole 5 or the wall 1.

The mesh lattice 25 may be positioned on the side of the poles 5 facingthe track or on the side of the poles 5 opposite the race track.Positioning the mesh lattice 25 on the side of the poles 5 opposite therace track may provide a fencing system with less destruction to thevehicle and less creation of debris, as well as maintaining theintegrity of the mesh lattice 25 to capture debris. In some instances,the longitudinal cabling 9 may prevent the vehicle from contacting themesh lattice 25 or reduce the amount of contact. The less damage themesh lattice 25 incurs from the impact the more reliable it may be incatching debris from the vehicle and/or other components of the catchfence 4.

Referring now to FIG. 15A, the present invention may include a method1500 for installing the vehicle safety catch fence 4. At block 1502, themethod includes installing a plurality of poles 5 o or adjacent to thewall 1 using cement, concrete, a clamp, a bracket, or other like similarcoupling means. The poles 5 may include a substantially vertical section7 and an angled overhang section 8 that extends partially over the racetrack. The method further includes installing a plurality of offsetbrackets 19 to the poles 5 wherein the offset brackets 19 are coupled tothe poles 5 on the surface facing the race track so that the offsetbrackets 19 may flex around the pole 5 during a collision with aracecar, as described at block 1504. At block 1506, the method includesinstalling a plurality of longitudinal cables 9 through a hole in theoffset brackets 19 via a coupling 22 so that the longitudinal cables 9are installed on the surface of the offset brackets 19 facing the racetrack. At block 1508, the method includes installing a plurality oftransverse cables 10, wherein the transverse cables 10 are coupled tothe wall 1, for example via an epoxy 6 or another type of coupling. Atblock 1510, the method includes coupling the transverse cables 10 to thelongitudinal cables 9 in a in a perpendicular orientation, or at anangled orientation using cable clamps 11. For example, angled cableclamps 11 may be utilized so that the transverse cables 10 can bepositioned at an angle between fifteen and twenty degrees (or at anotherangle) in the direction of the racecar's motion. Furthermore, thetransverse cables 10 may be positioned on the surface of thelongitudinal cables 9 facing the race track. At block 1512, the methodincludes installing the mesh lattice 25 to the poles 5, wherein the meshlattice 25 is positioned on the surface of the poles 5 opposite the racetrack.

Transverse cables 10 may also be retrofitted onto an existing catchfence system 4. First, by securing an end of the transvers cable 10 to awall 1 and operatively coupling the transverse cable 10 at the desiredangle with respect to the longitudinal cables 9.

Referring now to FIG. 15B, the present invention may include a method1550 for redirecting, redistributing, or transferring forces sustainedduring a collision. When a vehicle impacts the safety catch fence 4 atblock 1552, the longitudinal cable 9 may be put in tension to displacethe force of the impact as described at block 1554. Coupled to thelongitudinal cable 9 is the transverse cable 10, so the transverse cable10 may also be put in tension to displace the force of the impact, asdescribed at block 1556. The transverse cable 10 may displace the forceof the impact to the longitudinal cables 9 that are not directlyimpacted by the vehicle through the cable clamp 11 as mentioned at block1558. Further, block 1560 shows the transverse cable 10 may displace theforce of the impact to the wall sections 1 that are not directlyimpacted by the racecar via the coupling 6 in the wall 1. Block 1562illustrates that the longitudinal cables 9 and transverse cables 10 maydeflect with respect to the offset (or other style of) brackets 19 toreduce the torsional load on the poles 5. The vehicle may slide alongthe longitudinal cables 9 and the surface of the brackets 19 todissipate the force of the impact, as described at block 1564.

In embodiments of the invention, various components of the presentinvention may be utilized to fix, repair, and/or reinforce the catchfence 4 after it is impacted by car. For example, as previouslydiscussed, the single-section brackets or a section of the two-sectionbrackets may be replaceable after being damaged. Moreover, should atransverse cable 10 require replacement, a new hole 6 may be drilledinto a wall 1, the end of a transverse cable 10 may be placed in thewall 1, and epoxy may be utilized to couple the transverse cable 10 tothe wall 1.

Also, two or more transverse cables 10 may be installed to provide aquick repair to the catch fence 4 in the event of a collision. Forexample, assume that during a race the vehicle collides with the catchfence 4 and damages at least one pole 5. Current repair techniques mayrequire that a new pole 5 and new offset brackets 19 be installed beforeracing is allowed to continue, which may be quite a time-consumingrepair. However, the present invention enables two or more transversecables 10 to be installed on one or more sides of a damaged pole 5. Forexample, two or more transverse cables 10 may provide desiredfunctionality as a temporary replacement for a pole 5 without the timeor cost of installing a new pole 5 in-situ. This repair process is muchless time-consuming and may ensure that the race continues in a timelymanner. Therefore, the components of the present safety catch fence 4not only potentially improves upon the safety of traditional catchfences, but also allows for quick repair, in order to allow racing toresume.

As has been disclosed above, in some embodiments of the invention, it isof interest to promote sliding of the vehicle along the catch fence withreduced friction and obstructions that may cut into or strip away piecesof the vehicle as it contacts the catch fence. In some embodiments ofthe invention, the placement of the longitudinal cables, transversecable, poles, and mesh wire relative to each other to promote sliding ofthe vehicle along the catch fence. The concept is to provide little tono obstructions that can contact the vehicle. In this embodiment of thesafety catch fence 4, the two or more longitudinal cables 9 may be runalong the length of the race track. The longitudinal cables 9 areconnected to the side of the poles 5 facing the race track and viaoffset brackets 19, such that the longitudinal cables 9 are spaced infront of the poles by 3 to 6 inches or more to reduce contact of thevehicle with the poles 5. To reduce contact with the transverse cable10, the transverse cable 10 is connected to the sides of the two or morelongitudinal cables 9 opposite the rack track. The transverse cable 10is coupled to the wall 1 via an epoxy coupling 6. A mesh lattice 25 isconnected to the side of the poles 5 opposite the side facing the racetrack. As is understood, the mesh lattice 25 includes longitudinal wiresand crossing transverse wires. As the transverse wires of the meshlattice may interfere with the vehicle if it contacts the mesh lattice,the mesh lattice is positioned such that the longitudinal wires face therace track and the transverse wires are located behind the longitudinalwires relative to the position of the race track, so that the vehiclemay slide along the longitudinal wires of the mesh lattice withoutcontacting the transverse wires of the mesh lattice.

In alternative embodiments, the present invention may be applied ashighway guardrails. Currently, many miles of highway include a median toseparate oncoming lanes of traffic. To further protect the drivers fromhead-on collisions, a guardrail cable system may be installed in themedian. The guardrail cable system may include longitudinal cables orwires, upward-facing poles or posts to support the cables or wires, anda coupling in the fashion of a bolting, a welding, or the like. Atransverse cable may be operatively coupled to the longitudinal cablesof the guardrail cable systems. Furthermore, a wire mesh lattice may beincluded. In still other embodiments, the present invention may also beapplied the sides of the road to separate the roadway from a steepincline, water, or the like, and thus prevent cars from running off ofthe road.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other changes,combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition tothose set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, andcombinations of the just described embodiments can be configured withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it isto be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Also, it will be understood that, where possible, any of the advantages,features, functions, devices, and/or operational aspects of any of theembodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplatedherein may be included in any of the other embodiments of the presentinvention described and/or contemplated herein, and/or vice versa. Inaddition, where possible, any terms expressed in the singular formherein are meant to also include the plural form and/or vice versa,unless explicitly stated otherwise. Accordingly, the terms “a” and/or“an” shall mean “one or more.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A racetrack fencing system, comprising: two ormore posts, wherein the two or more posts comprise a first side thatfaces a racetrack surface and a second side that faces away from theracetrack surface; a wire mesh screen operatively coupled to the secondside of the two or more posts; two or more longitudinal cablesoperatively coupled between the two or more posts, along the first sideof the two or more posts; and a transverse cable operatively coupled toeach of the two or more longitudinal cables; wherein the transversecable is coupled to the two or more longitudinal cables by two or morecable clamps to reduce separation of the two or more longitudinal cablesupon impact from one or more vehicles, wherein each of the two or morecable clamps comprises: a first plate; and a second plate operativelycoupled to the first plate; wherein the first plate or the second platecomprises one or more ridges located on an inner surface of the firstplate or the second plate that conforms to a cable surface of thetransverse cable or one of the two or more longitudinal cables; andwherein the one or more ridges are angled to a same degree as an angledtwist of spacing between individual strands of the cable surface of thetransverse cable or the two or more longitudinal cables.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the transverse cable is operatively coupled to thetwo or more longitudinal cables in a substantially perpendicular orvertical orientation.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transversecable is operatively coupled to the two or more longitudinal cables inan upwardly sloping direction, relative to a direction of motion of theone or more vehicles.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein a first end ofthe transverse cable is operatively coupled to a ground located belowthe two or more longitudinal cables.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein afirst end of the transverse cable is operatively coupled to a walllocated below the two or more longitudinal cables.
 6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the first end of the transverse cable is operativelycoupled to the wall through an aperture in the wall, wherein the firstend of the transverse cable and the wall are secured with one of epoxy,cement, and concrete within the aperture in the wall.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first plate comprises the one or more ridgeslocated on the inner surface of the first plate that conforms to thecable surface of the transverse cable or one of the two or morelongitudinal cables, and wherein the second plate comprises the one ormore ridges located on the inner surface of the second plate thatconforms to the cable surface of the transverse cable or one of the twoor more longitudinal cables.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the innersurface of the first plate or the second plate contours about the cablesurface of the transverse cable or one or the two or more longitudinalcables.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first plate and the secondplate are operatively coupled through one or more bolts.
 10. The systemof claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of offset bracketsoperatively coupled to the first side of the two or more posts, whereineach of the plurality of offset brackets comprises an aperture betweenan outer surface of each of the plurality of offset brackets and thefirst side of the two or more posts; and a plurality of cable supportseats operatively coupled to the plurality of offset brackets, whereineach of the plurality of cable support seats extends away from the outersurface of each of the plurality of offset brackets and towards thefirst side of the two or more posts; wherein each of the two or morelongitudinal cables pass through the aperture of one or more of theplurality of offset brackets and are operatively coupled to one or moreof the plurality of cable support seats at an offset distance away fromthe first side of the two or more posts.
 11. A cable clamp apparatus ofa racetrack fencing system, the cable clamp apparatus comprising: afirst plate; a second plate operatively coupled to the first plate; alongitudinal cable operatively coupled between the first plate and thesecond plate; and a transverse cable operatively coupled between thefirst plate and the second plate; wherein the first plate or the secondplate comprises one or more ridges located on an inner surface of thefirst plate or the second plate that conforms to a cable surface of thetransverse cable or the longitudinal cable; and wherein the one or moreridges located on the inner surface of the first plate or the secondplate are angled to a same degree as an angled twist of spacing betweenindividual strands of the cable surface of the transverse cable or thelongitudinal cable.
 12. The cable clamp apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe longitudinal cable and the transverse cable are operatively coupledbetween the first plate and the second plate in a substantiallyperpendicular orientation.
 13. The cable clamp apparatus of claim 12,wherein the transverse cable is substantially vertical.
 14. The cableclamp apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first plate comprises the oneor more ridges located on the inner surface of the first plate thatconforms to the cable surface of the transverse cable, and the secondplate comprises the one or more ridges located on the inner surface ofthe second plate that conforms to the longitudinal cable.
 15. The cableclamp apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first plate comprises the ridgelocated on the inner surface of the first plate that conforms to thecable surface of the longitudinal cable, and the second plate comprisesthe ridge located on the inner surface of the second plate that conformsto the transverse cable.
 16. The cable clamp apparatus of claim 11,wherein the inner surface of the first plate or the second platecontours about the cable surface of the transverse cable or one or thetwo or more longitudinal cables.
 17. The cable clamp apparatus of claim11, wherein the second plate is operatively coupled to the first plateby one or more bolts.
 18. A method for installing a racetrack vehiclesafety catch fence, the method comprising: installing two or more posts,wherein the two or more posts comprise a first side that faces aracetrack surface and a second side that faces away from the racetracksurface; installing a wire mesh screen operatively coupled to the secondside of the two or more posts; securing two or more longitudinal cablesthrough operative couplings between the two or more posts, along thefirst side of the two or more posts; and securing a transverse cablethrough operative coupling to each of the two or more longitudinalcables; wherein the transverse cable is coupled to each of the two ormore longitudinal cables by two or more cable clamps to reduceseparation of the two or more longitudinal cables upon impact from oneor more vehicles, wherein each of the two or more cable clampscomprises: a first plate; and a second plate operatively coupled to thefirst plate; wherein the first plate or the second plate comprises oneor more ridges located on an inner surface of the first plate or thesecond plate that conforms to a cable surface of the transverse cable orone of the two or more longitudinal cables; and wherein the one or moreridges are angled to a same degree as an angled twist of spacing betweenindividual strands of the cable surface of the transverse cable or thetwo or more longitudinal cables.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thetransverse cable is operatively coupled, via installation, to the two ormore longitudinal cables in a substantially perpendicular orientation.20. The method of claim 18, wherein the transverse cable is operativelycoupled to the two or more longitudinal cables in an upwardly slopingdirection, relative to a direction of motion of the one or morevehicles.